Speaker Of The House Of Representatives Asks The Government To Accelerate The COVID-19 Vaccination Program

JAKARTA - The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Puan Maharani, asked the government to further promote the COVID-19 vaccination program after the deaths of two positive patients with the Omicron variant.

"We express our deepest condolences for the death of the Omicron variant of the COVID-19 patient. This concern must make us work more extra in handling the pandemic," said Puan in a written statement quoted by Antara, Monday, January 24.

Puan reminded the importance of achieving vaccination in all regions because based on a report from the Ministry of Health (Kemenkes), one of the Omicron patients who died had not received the COVID-19 vaccine.

According to him, the acceleration of COVID-19 vaccination absolutely must be carried out, especially in areas where vaccination achievements are still lacking.

"Local governments must intensify the implementation of vaccinations in their respective regions. For example, primary and booster vaccinations must be accelerated," he said.

Puan reminded that Omicron has a very high transmission rate, so the increase in the transmission rate occurs very quickly. Therefore, he appealed to people who have not been vaccinated to immediately follow the COVID-19 vaccination program.

"There is no need to be afraid to get vaccinated because it has been proven safe. Self-protection by vaccination is very important because it means we also take care of our family and closest people," he said.

He said the vaccine did not completely stop the transmission of COVID-19, but vaccination could reduce the risk of the dangers of exposure to COVID-19, including death.